INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF SOCIETIES

UNIT II
TOPIC: The 19th century: the French revolutionary process and the regimes
liberals.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Asa Briggs and Patricia Clavin (1997), 'Revolution and Empire: Experience and
impact, 1789-1815, in: Contemporary History of Europe 1789-1989
Criticism, Barcelona, pp. 11-52.
PRACTICAL WORK N° 1
1) 1st. Synchronous meeting (between 26 and 31/08)
a. Group review of the reading guide and the proposed timeline.
b. Explanation of the activity available in the Moodle Classroom.

2) Asynchronous activity (to be submitted at the next meeting of

practical)
a. Work from the timeline about the revolutionary process
French (The line can be found in Bibliography/Unit II/Resources/Line
of time): analyze it completely, identify and complete up to 1815 the
following aspects: central ideas of each moment; measures and
institutions formed at each moment, characterizing them; and
social and political groups and their place in the revolutionary process in
every moment.

b. Without losing sight of the comments made by Eric

Hobsbawm as per Briggs and Clavin regarding the historicity of the
words and concepts, build the vocabulary of the revolution,
identifying all the key concepts that explain the
transformations of the period 1789-1815. Select two concepts that
seem most important to them, justify the selection and define them.

Sovereignty: Authority in which power resides, in this case the king.

Revolution: Burke described it in 1790 as novelty, a deliberate break with the

history, instead of its culmination, also described it as that which followed
ASSA BRIGGS some schemes, therefore it was a cycle and not a sequence.

Y Higher clergy: Noble sectors that are enrolled within the ecclesiastical hierarchy and that
they form a second State.
PATRICIA CLAVIN
Salary: Represents the time during which the worker freely sells their labor.
HISTORY work, and that workforce is what multiplies its own value many times, and
CONTEMPORARY therefore it multiplies in the production process.
FROM EUROPE

Constitution: It outlined both the duties and the rights of citizens, and
he firmly stated that the maintenance of property is the basis of social order
 o Revolution: Imagining the modern world without things and concepts to the
there remains name, it is to measure the depth of the revolution produced between
ERIC 1789 and 1848. It represented the biggest transformation in human history since the
HOBSBAWM remote times when men invented agriculture and metallurgy,
the writing, the city and the State.
o The word "urban": It is ambiguous. It encompasses both European cities that
THE ERA OF In 1789 they could truly be called great by the number of their
THE inhabitants.
REVOLUTION o The border line between 'city and countryside', or between urban occupations and
” rural was rigid.
o Landowner: he was the owner of a vast territory almost feudal or of a
slave plantation.
o Bourgeoisie: In capitalism, it exclusively appropriates as a class of
the means of production and of capital.

Choice of definition about REVOLUTION:

Burke described it in 1790 as 'novelty and also as that which followed'

some schemes, therefore it was a cycle and not a sequence.

I chose this meaning because I find it interesting how it is defined or

better said as it is described in the text read by Assa Briggs and Patricia
Clavin. Therefore, we can say that this notion of Revolution
mainly it is linked as that quality of something new, that is to say
it's something that comes to light for the first time and is incorporated into one or more

places at certain times. When talking about schemes, it is related

directly to a process where it is essentially aligned with cycles;
This means that within that framework there are time periods.
in which sets of events unfold, and in this case it would be
everything that led to the revolution of 1789-1815. And regarding the sequence,
it refers to a series or succession of things that have a certain relation
among themselves, therefore although it is not entirely indispensable for the story,
if it is necessary to take it into account, because if its order is changed
which points to certain historical facts, could modify the message
that is passed down from generation to generation.

Choice of definition regarding BOURGEOISIE:

 Bourgeoisie: exclusively appropriates as a class the means of
production and capital .
*I chose this meaning extracted from the text read 'The Age of Revolution, 1789-
"1848" by Eric Hobsbawm, because reading it seems interesting to discover.
depth this meaning, what it entails to discover what it is
Bourgeoisie. Therefore, it can be concluded that it is a social class.
of the capitalist regime, in which its members are responsible for the
production, they own their own business and are the opposite of the class
worker; without forgetting to acknowledge that thanks to her and her values, the
the term society was evolving and paved the way for the acquisition of the
civil rights and of a representative state.

c. What changes, continuities, and conflicts do you observe in the formation of

a new type of state throughout the troubled process 1789-1815?
You can work from the proposed stages, identifying and
explaining the changes, continuities, and conflicts that are observed.

None of the events that occurred would have been possible without him.
Social change of thought that was driven and shared by the
enlightened, so it can be said that the greatest change that occurred in the
The French Revolution is of thought.
Before the French Revolution, society was divided into 3
estates, the nobility, the clergy, and the people, with the latter being the most
the harmed, as they had no voice or vote, were not considered people and
they were the only ones responsible for paying taxes to support society.
This changed completely when the people rebelled and demanded to have rights.
and equalities. People began to think about the participation of all individuals
within society, thus managing to become part of the government to take
important decisions both political and economic; over time
they were able to elect their representatives through universal suffrage
male. They obtained a declaration of fundamental rights for the
human being, such as freedom, equality, and fraternity. Furthermore, I leave it of
to be seen as subjects in order to be recognized as citizens, thus changing the
concept that was held about this sector.
There were not only changes in the town or third estate, but also
clero underwent a great and important transformation, as at first they were
exempt from paying taxes and their charges depended on the nobility, for they
they were the ones who decided whom to remove or appoint; with the creation of the

Civil Constitution of the Clergy, these privileges were forgotten, as to

 from there the parish priests would be chosen by an assembly of citizens from
Each locality and the bishops would be elected by each department; Without
embargo would continue to be maintained by the State. Another change was the
expropriation of the assets of churches, which would serve as backing
of paper money for finance.
Another of the transformations that this revolution promoted was the role of the
woman, although they were excluded from politics due to their biological condition, in
the times of wars were those who took care of their families and of the
businesses, but they had to become the defenders of the ancient faith
in Catholic provinces, causing their own death in some cases.
They played a leading role in the march to Versailles as they left the
streets demanding food.
Political changes: many forms of government were created and destroyed.
Although at first absolute monarchy prevailed, it only looked after the classes.
high, that changes, as the political burden must represent society,
a government of the people and for the people is created.

The bourgeoisie also undergoes great changes, as they become

in a new sector that is gaining strength and importance, setting aside the struggle
for equality in all social sectors to take care of their own
interests.
The religious cult ceases to be Christianity and is replaced by the
rationalism and philosophy.
The world changes geographically due to expansions and wars that
developed at that time, the territories were not the same. France
I managed to achieve an empire and thus caused a change in the maps.

In a more general and synthesized idea, it can be said the following:

The mission of the State will be to defend human rights, to guarantee their
freedom, security, and property; therefore, the State must be
representative and liberal. The enlightened politicians oppose absolutism.
monarchic and they want a regime for France that is based on equality and on
freedom.

The enlightened writers of the 18th century, philosophers, political scientists, scientists and

economists, and starting in 1751, the encyclopedists, all of them called

commonly philosophers, contributed to undermining the foundations of Divine Law of the
kings.

The prevailing school of thought in France was the Enlightenment, whose

principles were based on reason, equality, and freedom. The Enlightenment had
served as a boost to the Thirteen American Colonies for the
independence from its European metropolis.

France, despite expanding its lands for cultivation, continued to use

very old farming techniques, characteristic of the Middle Ages, with a production
very low. This poor performance combined with a long period of bad harvests,
they caused food prices to rise spectacularly, this
The price increase caused discontent among the population.
The bourgeoisie wielded economic power but did not have access to political power.
politicians the social recognition they demanded, they found themselves in
hands of the privileged classes, the nobility. Therefore, the bourgeoisie also
showed discontent.
The serious financial crisis in which the monarchy was immersed, this came
provoked by the exorbitant expenses of the court and the State.
All these factors and the discontent of the different social classes encouraged a
social, economic, and financial revolution.
The tensions, both social and political, long contained, are
they unleashed a major economic crisis as a result of two specific events
what were:
The collaboration of France supporting the Americans against
England in the American War of Independence caused a great
they drain the state coffers.
The rise in wheat prices and agricultural products.
The discontent of the population was directed towards the nobles and the high clergy, who despite

the economic situation, continued to maintain their privileges, preventing the incursion
about public life to the new social classes such as the Bourgeoisie.

The following stages can be appreciated:

THE MONARCHIC STAGE (1789 - 1792)

Estates General (1789)
National Assembly (1789)
Constituent Assembly (1789 - 1791)
The Legislative Assembly (1791 – 1792)
THE REPUBLICAN STAGE (1792 – 1804)
The Convention (1792-1795)
The Directory (1795 – 1799)
The Consulate (1799 – 1804)

THE IMPERIAL STAGE (1804 – 1815)

The Battles: Battle of Trafalgar (1805); Battle of Austerlitz (1805) and
the Battle of Jena (1806)
The Continental Block
Invasion of Spain (1808 - 1813)
Russian Campaign (1812)
Battle of Leipzig (1813)
Battle of Waterloo (1815)

MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS

May 5, 1789, the Estates General meet (assembly)
composed of the three estates: the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Third Estate) that had
were summoned by King Louis XVI.
June 17, 1789, the Third Estate, representatives of the people,
separates from the General Estates of France and self-constitutes as an Assembly
National.
June 20, 1789, the members of the National Assembly do
the "Ball Game Oath", committing to not dissolve
to promulgate a Constitution for France. To the members of the Assembly,
a part of the low clergy and 47 members of the nobility.
July 9, 1789, the Assembly named itself 'National Assembly'
Constituent
July 11, 1789, the popular mobilization begins in Paris, a part
the military joins them.
July 14, 1789, the Storming of the Bastille occurs, a prison of
little real importance, but its symbolism was enormous, as it is the historical fact
what is considered the beginning of the French Revolution.
Between July 20 and August 6, 1789. The movements
revolutionaries spread throughout France, from the towns to the
cities. New councils were created that would only recognize the authority of
The National Constituent Assembly. In rural areas, titles were burned.
on servitudes, feudal rights, and titles of servitude that
they had suffocated the peasants and from whom the nobles had enjoyed since the
Middle Ages. The goods of the nobility were sacked, such as castles and
palaces. This uprising of the peasants was known as The Great Fear.
August 4, 1789, the National Constituent Assembly declares the
abolition of serfdom or what is the same, the abolition of feudalism,
payment of tithes, with the noble privileges being annulled. This implied
that all citizens were equal before the law and before taxes. Access to
Public offices are no longer the exclusive domain of the clergy and the nobility.
August 27, 1789, the National Constituent Assembly carries out
the 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen', establishing the
principle of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
October 1789, the king refuses to give his approval to the resolutions of the 4th-
I refer to the decrees of August 5 and 11.
October 1789, the aristocracy holds demonstrations in favor of the old regime.
regime, causing more discontent among the popular masses.
October 6, 1789, a crowd marches towards Versailles and forces
alReya accept the decrees.
The royal court is moved to Paris. The Assembly is then also moved.
Constituent.
The Count of Artois, brother of Louis XVI, leaves France along with others.
members of the aristocracy, with the aim of organizing from the outside
The Counter-Revolution.
End of 1789 and the year 1790, period of relative stability.
July 1790, The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is approved.
November 1790, a large part of the clergy refuses to accept
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy. The church is divided, those opposed to the constitution.
they will be called refractories and those who adhere to it, sworn. As a result of the
religious conflict, the Counter-Revolution movement is promoted.
April 1791, The papal condemnation of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy is known.
June 20, 1791, King Louis XVI attempts to flee the country and is apprehended.
in Varennes. Suspends him from his duties.
July 1791, a protest by the...
most radical revolutionaries, and Martial Law is established.
August 1791, The Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia subscribe to the
Pillnitz Declaration. In this way, the interventionist policy is foreshadowed.
what the European powers will take.
September 1791, the Constitution of 1791 is approved. Louis XVI accepts it.
and is reinstated in his duties. He organized a monarchy regime.
parliamentary, introducing the division of powers of Montesquieu.
 October 1, 1791, the Constitution of 1791 comes into effect and
The Constituent Assembly is replaced by the Legislative Assembly.
November 2, 1971, the Assembly decrees that all emigrants
return under penalty of death. Civil marriage and divorce are established.
January 2, 1792, Decree of January 1, 1789, which establishes the start
from the 'Era of History'.
April 20, 1792
declare war on Austria.
August 19, 1792, Lafayette, commander of the National Guard flees.
a Austria.
September 20, 1792, France defeats the Prussians at Valmy.
September 21-22, 1792, Year I of the First
Republic.
November 6, 1792
Jemappes. The French occupation of Belgium begins.
December 11, 1792, The trial of the king begins.
January 21, 1793, Louis XVI is guillotined.
July 1793, death of Marat and the proclamation of the
Constitution.
1794, Robespierre's government and the Reign of Terror.
October 1795, end of the Convention. Emergence of the Directory.
November 1799, coup d'état by Napoleon Bonaparte.

DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

One of the most important events that occurred during the revolution
it was the declaration of the rights of man and of the citizen. This
Declaration proclaimed the right to guarantee all citizens freedom
of property, the security of citizens and the resistance to oppression. The
the rights of citizens are only limited by the rights of another citizen of the same
society.
That is to say, the law as a promoter of equal rights among citizens.
and only prohibit actions that may be harmful to the rest of society. The
the freedom of the individual ends where the freedom of another individual begins.
The first time the rights of man were solemnly proclaimed was in
the United States in the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776 and the
United States Constitution in 1787, the revolution of human rights
it is a purely European phenomenon.
It will be the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789, the
model to follow of the rest of the declarations promulgated in the 19th century and
XX.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1789 is considered a
timeless text, unique, separate from the constitutional text and, therefore, with a
universal character, created with simple, clear, and brief text. All of these
attributes contributed to the Declaration's success in France, Europe
and in general in the Western World

NAPOLEON
The Revolution concluded precisely under his hammer, at the moment he struck.
the Coup d'état of 18 Brumaire, in 1799.
Regarded as a great strategist on the battlefields, Napoleon
Bonaparte managed to annex to France an entire empire that encompassed the largest
part of Western and Central Europe.
In 1804 he granted himself the title of emperor. From that moment on,
Napoleon would embark on a series of Napoleonic Wars that would lead him to confront
most of the European powers, their goal was to create their great empire to
France.
Napoleon is generally considered the key figure in the transition to a
More contemporary Europe, that of the 19th century. Napoleon was the next step to the
French Revolution, and when its empire spread, all states had
to adhere to the Napoleonic code. In many cases, this code represented significant
advances in the society of the time, allowing among other things suffrage
universal male, the abolition of feudalism and servitude, and even the
freedom of worship, except in some countries such as Spain.
Death overcame him in 1821 on the Island of Saint Helena, where he had been.
exiled in 1815 after his defeat, the last one, in the Battle of Waterloo.

3) 2nd. Synchronic meeting (between 02 and 07/09)

a.Sharing and correction of the guidelines of the Practical Work.
Written delivery.